cause major problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause major problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential negative consequences or issues that may arise from a particular action or situation. Example: "If we don't address the budget cuts, they could cause major problems for our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We want to do it in such a way that it doesn't cause major problems for Medicare," said Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, the majority leader.

The New York Times

The shutdown continues to cause major problems for Spirit's fliers.

The New York Times

The rainy season brings floods, which every year cause major problems.

The Guardian

Furthermore, the bags cause major problems for even the most sophisticated recycling facilities.

The New Yorker

The decision could cause major problems for sugar beet farmers and sugar processors.

The New York Times

If you control water in Iraq you have a grip on Baghdad, and you can cause major problems.

The Guardian

They warn that a 26% jump in admissions among those aged 85 and over in the last four years will cause major problems.

The Guardian

Piqué has identified the Manchester City forward as one of the players who could cause major problems for the holders and World Cup winners in Gdansk on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, everyone has personality traits, but when they cause major problems in relationships and work, they cross the line into disorder.

The New York Times - Health

TAIPEI — Apple's patent lawsuit against HTC will not cause major problems for the Taiwan technology company in the short term, analysts said Wednesday.

The New York Times - Tech

When you look at Social Security, and how much a young person has to pay out of a paycheck, and how much the older person needs, it's beginning to cause major problems".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause major problems", consider the specific type of problem and whether a more descriptive verb or noun would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying "the decision could cause major problems", consider "the decision could lead to significant delays".

Common error

Avoid using "cause major problems" as a catch-all phrase for negative consequences. Be specific about the nature and impact of the problems to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause major problems" functions as a predicate within a sentence, expressing the consequence or outcome of a particular action, event, or situation. Ludwig AI provides several examples of its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause major problems" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the creation of significant difficulties or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, consider specifying the nature of the problems to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "create significant difficulties" or "lead to serious complications" may offer more precise connotations. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for professional and general communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create significant difficulties

Emphasizes the act of creating problems, rather than just causing them.

lead to serious complications

Focuses on the development of complex and problematic situations.

pose substantial challenges

Highlights the challenging aspect of the problems created.

trigger significant issues

Implies a rapid or abrupt onset of problems.

generate considerable adversity

Stresses the hardship and suffering resulting from the problems.

precipitate critical setbacks

Indicates a sudden and negative impact on progress.

result in major disruptions

Focuses on the interruption and disorder caused.

instigate severe repercussions

Highlights the far-reaching and serious consequences.

spawn intractable dilemmas

Suggests the creation of problems that are difficult to resolve.

foster acute predicaments

Implies the development of difficult and precarious situations.

FAQs

How can I use "cause major problems" in a sentence?

You can use "cause major problems" to describe situations where something leads to significant difficulties or negative outcomes. For example, "Neglecting routine maintenance can cause major problems down the line".

What are some alternatives to "cause major problems"?

Alternatives include "create significant difficulties", "lead to serious complications", or "pose substantial challenges", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause major problems" or "cause serious problems"?

Both "cause major problems" and "cause serious problems" are grammatically correct, but "major" suggests a larger scale or wider impact than "serious". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of words usually "cause major problems"?

Typically, nouns representing actions, decisions, or conditions can "cause major problems". Examples include "negligence", "mismanagement", "underfunding", and "lack of planning". These terms set the stage for the ensuing difficulties.